Chair



Patented Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES CHAIR Charles H. Spicer, Lawndale,and Leo Lombardi,. Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 14, 1937, Serial No. 136,761

3 Claims. (01. 155-1) This invention relates to improvements in chairs;and has for its principal object the provision of a chair havingsuperior restful qualities in affording full support for the lower limbsof the user.

Makers of easy chairs have hitherto relied upon adjustable legorfoot-rests of various types to provide the support and comfort for thelower limbs desired in a chair of this class, such chairs usuallyterminating in straight, horizontal or angularly adjustable supportingextensions or in foot-rests projecting outwardly therefrom. It has beenfound that the greatest comfort and relaxation for the legs of thesitter is provided by a full cushioned support therefor from the kneesdown accompanied by means of a curved anterior extension of the seatconforming to the general form of the leg when in flexed condition andsupporting the same along its full length.

It is the further object of our present invention to provide achair-seat adjustable in effective length to the length of limb ordesired position of the user having a rounded forward extension directedto the floor and adapted to fully support the lower limbs of the sitterto the exclusion of foot-rests or mechanical accessories.

Other objects and advantages residing in my invention, and. objectsrelating to details of con struction and arrangements of parts thereof,will be readily apparent in the course of the detailed description tofollow.

The accompanying drawing illustrates by way of example a representativeform of our invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the same, partly in side elevation and partly invertical section along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

4.0 Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation with the seat-body shown invertical section.

Referring to said views, it will be understood that the preciseconstruction of body of the chair embodying our invention may be variedin accordance with the form, type and style of chair selected. In thepresent example our invention is illustrated as of the overstuffedfireside type and includes a base frame-work, indicated by the referencenumeral 5, supported upon low legs 6. A rigid back I extends upwardlyfrom said base upon which an upholstered back- 7 rest 8 is formed of theusual or desired style and dimensions. Arm-rests I0 are provided at eachside rigidly framed from the base 5 and provided with upholstery or not,as deemed desirable. The inner sides II of said arm-rests are directedvertically to provide a vertically walled seat-space therebetween.

Arranged in parallel with the base 5 or supported thereon is a shelf I2extending horizontally between the side-walls II and. extending from theback I to a distance spaced inwardly from the forward extremities of thearm-rests I0. Runner-cleats I3 are rigidly secured upon said shelf andupon each side to the side-walls 10 II. The lower extremity of theback-rest 8 and the upper surface of the shelf I2 are spaced apart toprovide a recess I5 extending to the back I.

The seat of our improved chair comprises a seat-body I6 and a downwardlydirected exten- 5 sion II rigidly constructed as a unit and deeplyupholstered over its base-boards I8, I9 and 20. Reentrant angularguide-grooves 2I are framed on each side of the seat-body to receivesaid runner-cleats and guide the seat in its slidable movements inclosely aligned proximity to the sidewalls II of the arms.

The seat-body I B is approximately equal in length to the shelf I2 andis of a depth at its rear extremity 22 to enter the recess I5. Theseat-extension I1 extends downwardly in proximity to the room-floor andis supported thereon by a block 23 of ornamental moulding, or the like.The forward portion of the seat-body is desirably padded to protrudeupwardly, as at 0 25, in a full rounded curve to support the lowerthighand knee-portions of the sitter while his torso rests in acomfortable posture further to the rear of the seat-body in therelatively depressed portion 26 and upon the back of the chair.

From the rounded protrusion 25 the outer surface of the seat-extensionI'I extends downwardly and forwardly in an inclined plane, as at 21,which may be slightly curved, to the block 23, thus affording a fullsupport for the lower limbs.

It will be noted that the seat may be slidably moved along the shelf I2to protrude more or less within the recess I5 to increase or shorten 45the effective length of the seat-body and adapt the same to the size andlength of limb of the sitter. The length of the seat-extension I I issuch that the feet of the sitter do not reach the floor. The maximum ofcomfort and relaxation obtains when the lower limbs are supported in themanner described and illustrated by the figure indicated in broken linesin Fig. 2 where the bend of the legs at the knee occurs at the upperextremity of said inclined supporting surface 21 and the leg-calves andfeet are resting along said surface and without the tensing or use ofthe leg-muscles as when the feet are suphorizontal plane and a forwardextension of said seat extending in inclined directions to the floor. Y

2. A chair consisting of an upholstered ba'cli, a

horizontally arranged supporting means for a seat, said back andsupporting means being spaced apart to provide a recess for receivingthe rear end of a seat, and a seat slidable longitudinally on saidsupporting means and provided with an integral forward extensionsupported at its extremity upon the floor.

3. A chair consisting of an upholstered back, side-arms, a seat-supportextending horizontally between said arms, and a seat slidably supportedat its rear end on said seat-support and'provided at its forward endwith an integral extension supported upon the floor. I CHAS. H. SPICER.

LEO LOMBARDI.

